Growth across aerospace, textiles, electronics, metals and machinery helped push UK manufacturing output to £156.5 billion in the third quarter of 2025, according to analysis of ONS data by
FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics. This figure is 1.7% (£2.6 billion) higher than the same period last year, although inflation suggests real production levels may be around 1% lower than in 2024.
Manufacturers of aircraft, spacecraft and related machinery delivered the most striking gains, with output up 26.5% (£1.6 billion) in the three months to September. Metals, metal products and machinery also performed strongly, rising 7% (£798 million), while computer, electronic and electrical products manufacturing increased by 5.9% (£610 million). Textiles, apparel and leather posted a 10% (£244 million) year-on-year rise.
Food production and chemicals and pharmaceutical preparations also recorded higher values, up 4.1% (£1.1 billion) and 2.5% (£358 million) respectively. However, much of this growth was price-driven. Real food production was only 0.7% (£192 million) higher than in 2024, and chemicals and pharmaceutical productivity actually fell by 0.4% (£53 million).
Overall growth was held back by steep declines in automotive and petroleum output. Coke and refined petroleum production dropped 18.1% (£437 million) compared with Q3 2024, while motor vehicle and trailer manufacturing fell 12.6% (£2.5 billion), largely due to a cyberattack that halted operations at Jaguar Land Rover. Alcohol and tobacco products slipped 0.3% (£18 million), and paper, paper products and printed material declined 2.1% (£128 million).
Chris Iveson, CEO at FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics, said: “Given the uncertain geopolitical situation, the cost increases UK manufacturers must bear, and the major headwinds our automotive sector faces from tariffs and supply chain disruption, the fact that significant sections of the UK manufacturing base have delivered further growth is encouraging.
“The bigger picture for UK manufacturing is one of productivity and operational excellence in the face of adversity. Our manufacturers have digitalised faster than any other area of UK industry and have achieved productivity gains that have eclipsed most other major manufacturing economies in recent years.”